Claws Out

Saturday, February 21

Azusa, CA

7:30 PM

California Baptist University

20-5, 14-4

Azusa Pacific

23-4, 16-3

California Baptist University

Azusa Pacific

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

2/21/2015 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

AZUSA, Calif. — Knowing it'd be a cat fight Saturday night on No. 18 Azusa Pacific's home court, No. 17 California Baptist University opened strong but ultimately fell 84-68 to the Cougars.

The Lancers drop to 20-5 overall, 14-4 in the PacWest, while the Cougars improve to 23-4, 16-3.

Gelaun Wheelwright led the Lancers with 21 points (6-for-13). Michael Smith also grabbed double figures with 10 points on the night (4-for-6).

The Lancers came out fired up and opened with a 9-2 run to get the ball rolling early. Wheelwright put down the first points of the night and a jumper from Smith made it 9-2 before the Cougars could get the juices flowing.

APU managed to turn things around and take a 32-19 lead with about three minutes remaining in the first.

Smith sank a shot from the corner and grabbed a defensive board to keep the Lancers on the attack. Ryan Berg extended the run with a jumper, but two free throws for the Cougars put them back in front by 10.

Despite trailing 38-27 at halftime, CBU knew it had overcome the odds before and looked to make its move once again. Both teams exchanged points early in the second frame as APU tried to keep the Lancers at bay. Meanwhile, CBU forced multiple second-half turnovers while Taj Spencer scored six-straight points to cut the home team's deficit to nine points, 53-44.

Heading down the stretch down 70-53, shots fell for the Cougars but not for the Lancers as APU closed out the game 84-68.

CBU has one last regular-season contest on the road, heading to Fresno Pacific Thursday night for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. The Lancers return to the Van Dyne Gym to host Notre Dame de Namur for a Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket broadcast with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff before postseason action begins.